Staff Engineer

Bio-Rad Laboratories; Hercules (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive medical plans

401k plus profit sharing

Employee stock purchase program

Education benefits

Paid parental leave

Pet insurance

Job summary

Bio-Rad Laboratories is seeking an experienced Firmware Engineer for the CDG R&D Instrument Engineering group in Hercules, CA. The role focuses on low-level firmware development for new instruments, including device drivers and interfaces to the application layer.

10+ years embedded firmware experience and regulatory familiarity are required. You will work with cross-functional teams to design, test, and validate firmware for clinical diagnostic instruments, participate in board bring-up,

Qualifications

• 10+ years designing embedded firmware for production instruments (FDA/regulatory a plus).
• Experience with Cortex MSTM32, PIC32 or dspic33 architectures.
• Proficient in C/C++ and real-time operating systems.
• Experience with USB, UART, SPI, CAN, Ethernet protocol stacks.
• Board bring-up, calibration and test software development.
• Regulatory experience (FDA IEC 62304) desirable.
• Familiarity with Android or Linux device drivers desirable.
• Sensors data collection and analysis; motion/PID control helpful.

Responsibilities

• Set and communicate the enterprise innovation strategy and multi-year roadmap for biotech diagnostics portfolio.
• Lead front-end innovation and incubation; convert unmet diagnostic needs into concepts and prototypes.
• Own the innovation portfolio and governance; manage resources, risk, and value creation.
• Build and manage the external innovation ecosystem; lead technology scouting and diligence.
• Drive cross-functional alignment from concept through development handoff to launch readiness.

Skills

Embedded firmware

C/C++

RTOS

Device drivers

Board bring-up

Linux device drivers

Sensor data processing

Motion/PID control

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

VHDL

Job description

Bio-Rad Clinical Diagnostics Group (CDG) is one of the leading global providers of tests for infectious and autoimmune disease screening, diabetes screening and monitoring, blood grouping as well as a range of reagents and software for laboratory quality control. CDG provides over 3,000 reagents, devices, and instruments for about 300 diagnostic tests to a global customer base. At Bio-Rad CDG, we are building a world-class global R&D capability to support our ambitious clinical diagnostics strategy and drive long-term growth for the company roadmap.

Within the CDG R&D Instrument Engineering group, we are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer focused on the development and integration of low-level firmware for new instruments. We are looking for an energetic and passionate Embedded Engineer with a proven track record in designing, coding, deploying, testing, and debugging embedded systems firmware for clinical diagnostic instruments, including device drivers and interfaces to the application layer. The ability to work with cross-functional teams and willingness to jump in and do what it takes to deliver on commitments will make you a successful part of the team.

How You'll Make An Impact:

• Set and communicate the enterprise innovation strategy and multi-year roadmap for a biotech diagnostics portfolio (assays, instruments, software/data, workflow), aligned to business growth priorities and customer/patient needs.
• Lead front-end innovation and incubation as a parallel function: convert unmet diagnostic needs into concepts, prototypes, and validated business cases; define stage-gates, KPIs, and go/no-go criteria with R&D and Product.
• Own the innovation portfolio and investment governance (discovery through feasibility), prioritizing opportunities across clinical segments and adjacent markets; manage resources, risk, and value creation, and drive transparent portfolio reviews with leadership.
• Build and manage the external innovation ecosystem (academia, hospitals/labs, startups, suppliers, CRO/CMO partners, consortia); lead technology scouting and diligence for new biomarkers, assay chemistries, sample prep, automation, and analytics, partnering with Legal/IP and Corporate Development on collaboration and licensing.
• Drive cross-functional alignment from concept through development handoff and launch readiness by influencing (not owning) execution with R&D, Product/Marketing, Quality/Regulatory, Clinical/Medical Affairs, Manufacturing/Supply Chain, and Commercial teams; embed innovation behaviors, tools, and talent development across the organization.

What You Bring:

• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering or related field.
• Work Experience: 10+ years' experience designing embedded systems firmware in a production environment (shipped products a plus).
• Must have experience with 8/16/32 bits microprocessor architecture such as Cortex MSTM32-Kinetis, Pic32 or dspic33.
• Experience with the following communication protocols: USB, UART, SPI, CAN, Ethernet (TCP/IP-Ether cat).
• Experience in writing embedded firmware for Microcontrollers and C/C++ programming required.
• Experience in one or more of these areas: sensors data collection and analysis, design of motion control or PID control.
• Perform tests and generate test reports against firmware requirements.
• Experience working in a regulated environment (FDA) is highly desirable including compliance with IEC 62304.
• Create design and requirements for instrument and instrument sub-system manufacturing test software.
• Design, create requirements and tests for instrument calibration and instrument sub-systems and calibration.
• Ability to bring up a new board.
• Experience with at least one real-time operating system.
• Experience with and an understanding of real-time issues.
• Familiarity with optical detection systems, robotics, and power electronics is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Android or Linux device drivers is highly desirable.
• Experience with VHDL is highly desirable.

Location:

This position must be based in Hercules, CA and requires the employee to be located within commuting distance of the office.

Total Rewards Package:

At Bio-Rad, we're empowered by our purpose and recognize that our employees are as well. That's why we offer a competitive and comprehensive Total Rewards Program that provides value, quality, and inclusivity while satisfying the diverse needs of our evolving workforce. Bio-Rad's robust offerings serve to enrich the overall health, wealth, and wellbeing of our employees and their families through the various stages of an employee's work and life cycle.

Benefits:

We're proud to offer a variety of options, including competitive medical plans for you and your family, free HSA funds, a new fertility offering with stipend, group life and disability, paid parental leave, 401k plus profit sharing, an employee stock purchase program, a new upgraded and streamlined mental health platform, extensive learning and development opportunities, education benefits, student debt relief program, pet insurance, wellness challenges and support, paid time off, Employee Resource Groups (ERG's), and more!

Compensation:

The estimated base salary range for this position is $137,600 to $189,200 at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be provided in writing at the time of offer, if applicable, and is based on several factors we believe fairly and accurately impact compensation, including geographic location, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other job permitted factors. This position is eligible for a variable annual bonus, which is dependent upon achievement of your individual objectives and Company performance.

Who We Are:

For 70 years, Bio-Rad has focused on advancing the discovery process and transforming the fields of science and healthcare. As one of the top five life science companies, we are a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of high‑quality research and clinical diagnostic products. We help people everywhere live longer, healthier lives. Bio-Rad offers a unique employee experience with collaborative teams that span the globe. Here, you are supported by leadership to build your career and are empowered to drive change that makes an impact you can see.

EEO Statement:

Bio-Rad is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and we welcome candidates of all backgrounds. Veterans, people with physical or mental disabilities, and people of all race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin and citizenship status are encouraged to apply.